Double pillow flotation device and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A double pillow flotation device that allows users to easily turn over while minimizing the risk of falling off the flotation device, which is accomplished in part by the use of multiple head supports at opposite ends of the flotation device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to andfull benefit of, provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/583,867,entitled “DOUBULE PILLOW FLOTATION DEVICES,” filed on Jan. 6, 2012, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

The disclosure generally relates to a flotation device and a method ofusing the same, and more specifically to a double pillow flotationdevice designed to make it easier for users to turn over on theflotation device without falling off.

Description of Related Art

Individuals often use floatation devices, such as inflatable rafts, tosupport their weight as they float in a body of water, such as a pool. Atypical inflatable raft includes a plurality of elongated, substantiallycylindrical air chambers that are attached together in a side-by-sidearrangement. In some cases, the raft may include an inflatable pillowadjacent one end of the raft to support a user's head as they lie on theraft.

After lying on a raft in a particular position for a period of time,users often wish to reposition their body on the raft. For example, whensunbathing, a user may wish to “flip” from a first position, in whichthe user is lying face up in the raft, to a second position, in whichthe user is lying face down on the raft. To do this, users often try toroll over on the raft. Because rafts are often narrow and unstable, thisoften causes the raft to tip over, which may cause the user to fall intothe water.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved flotation rafts, and otherfloatation devices, that allow users to turn over on the raft withoutfalling off the raft and into the water.

Accordingly, a feature of the double pillow flotation device is itsability to be easy to setup.

Another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability tobe easy to use.

Still another feature of the double pillow flotation device is itsability to be relatively easy to manufacture.

Yet another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its abilityto allow the user to turn over without falling in the water.

Yet another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its abilityto be easily reconfigured.

These and other features of the double pillow flotation device willbecome more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following BriefDescription of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and Claims when readin light of the accompanying Detailed Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present double pillow flotation device will be better understood byreading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which likereference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elementsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a flotation device of an exemplary embodimentwith a user in a first (face up) position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the usertransitioning between the first position and a second (face down)position; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the flotation device of FIG. 1 with the user inthe second position.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely forthe purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neitherdesired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exactdetails of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemedessential to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-3, specific terminology is employed for the sakeof clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to beunderstood that each specific element includes all technical equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments setforth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples,and are merely examples among other possible examples.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 by way of example, and not limitation,therein is illustrated an example embodiment flotation device 10according to a first embodiment. As may be understood from this figure,flotation device 10 comprises: (1) elongated float base portion 20 thatextends between first end 22 and second end 24 and that defines topsurface 26 and bottom surface 28; (2) first head support 30 disposedadjacent float base portion's first end 22; and (3) second head support40 disposed adjacent float base portion's second end 24. These variouscomponents are discussed in greater detail below.

Float Base Portion

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, elongated float base portion 20 maycomprise any suitable floating material. In particular embodiments,elongated float base portion 20 may comprise a substantially solid(e.g., solid) foam body that includes any suitable floating foam (e.g.,polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate). In other embodiments, floatbase portion 20 may comprise any other suitable substantially solid(e.g., solid) material that is adapted to float (e.g., rubber orplastic).

In other embodiments, floatation device 10 is an inflatable raft. Insuch embodiments, float base portion 20 may comprise at least oneinflatable air chamber that is adapted to maintain a volume of airwithin its interior, which causes the air chamber to float on water. Invarious embodiments, the at least one air chamber may comprise a valveor other suitable mechanism to allow user 50 to selectively inflate ordeflate the inflatable air chamber. In other embodiments, the inflatableair chamber may be substantially permanently (e.g., permanently)inflated. In particular embodiments, float base portion 20 comprises aplurality of elongated, substantially cylindrical air chambers that areattached together in a side-by-side arrangement.

In certain embodiments, the float base portion 20 is substantiallyrectangular (e.g., rectangular) and substantially planar (e.g., planar).

First Head Support

In particular embodiments, first head support 30 may comprise anysupport that is suitable for supporting the head of a user who is lyingon floatation device 10. In a particular embodiment, first head support30 comprises an inflatable air chamber. In various embodiments, the airchamber may comprise any suitable number of valves or other suitablemechanisms for allowing a user to selectively inflate and/or deflate theair chamber. In certain embodiments, the inflatable air chamber maycomprise, or be substantially covered by (e.g., covered by) a material,which may, for example, comprise a suitable waterproof material (e.g.,canvas, rubber, or plastic).

In other embodiments, first head support 30 may be substantially solid(e.g., solid), and may, for example, comprise any suitable material thatis adapted to float (e.g., foam, plastic, or rubber). In otherembodiments, first head support 30 may comprise a material that is notadapted to float. In such embodiments, and in other embodiments, firsthead support 30 may be disposed adjacent float base portion's topsurface 26, which may be adapted to support first head support 30 whenflotation device 10 is floating.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, floatation device's first headsupport 30 may extend above elongated float's top surface 26 to anyheight suitable for supporting user's head 60 when user 50 is lying onfloat base portion 20 with user's head 60 on first head support 30.First head support may, for example, be disposed adjacent float baseportion's first end 22 and may, for example, extend upwardly from floatbase portion's top surface 26 at least about two to four inches in asubstantially pillow shaped (e.g., pillow shaped) arrangement.

Second Head Support

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, second head support 40 issubstantially structurally similar (e.g., identical) to first headsupport 30. In various embodiments, second head support 40 may includeany suitable support for supporting user's head 60. For example, secondhead support 40 may include any of the various forms of head supportdiscussed above.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, floatation device's second headsupport 40 may extend above elongated float's top surface 26 to anyheight suitable for supporting user's head 60 when user 50 is lying onfloat base portion 20 with user's head 60 on second head support 40.Second head support 40 may, for example, be disposed adjacent float baseportion's second end 24 and may, for example, extend upwardly from floatbase portion's top surface 26 at least about two to four inches in asubstantially pillow shaped (e.g., pillow shaped) arrangement.

In various embodiments, first head support 30 and second head support 40are positioned so that, when a user of average height lies on thefloatation device and positions their head on first head support 30, theuser's feet are adjacent, but do not reach, second head support 40.

Similarly, first head support 30 and second head support 40 may bepositioned so that, when a user of average height lies on the floatationdevice and positions their head on second head support 40, the user'sfeet are adjacent, but do not reach, first head support 30.

Exemplary Use of the Reversible Flotation Device

In various embodiments, flotation device 10 is adapted to float on aliquid surface (e.g., water) and is further adapted to support user 50on floatation device 10. FIGS. 1-3 show user 50 transitioning between:(1) a first position in which user's head 60 is disposed adjacent firsthead support 30 and user's feet 70 are disposed adjacent second headsupport 40; and (2) a second position in which user's head 60 isdisposed adjacent second head support 40 and user's feet 70 are disposedadjacent first head support 30.

As may be understood from FIG. 1, in the first position, user 50 islying on the elongated float's top surface 26 in a first, face upposition while flotation device 10 floats on a liquid surface. User 50in the first position may desire to move to the second position shown inFIG. 3 to alter the user's orientation on flotation device 10. As may beunderstood from FIGS. 1-2, in order to transition to a second, face downposition from the first position, the user may first sit up from thefirst position by lifting the user's upper body from the face upposition and lowering user's feet 70 to either side of float baseportion 20.

FIG. 2 shows user 50 in a position between the first position and secondposition. In this transitioning position, user 50 is seatedsubstantially upright (e.g., upright) on a central portion of elongatedtube's top surface 26. As may be understood from this figure, in thetransitioning position, user's feet 70 hang off of opposite lateralsides of float base portion 20. As shown in this figure, in thetransitioning position, the user's torso remains substantially out of(e.g., out of) the water while the user transitions between the firstand second positions. In various embodiments of flotation device 10,user's feet 70 may briefly enter the water while in the transitioningposition.

As may be understood from FIGS. 2-3, in order to move from transitioningposition to the second position, user 50 may lean forward from theuser's sitting position in the transitioning position and bring user'sfeet 70 up along the sides of float base portion 20 and then rest user'sfeet 70 on or laterally adjacent first head support 30. FIG. 3 showsuser 50 in the second position, in which user 50 is lying in a proneposition on float base portion's top surface 26.

To move from the second position to the first position, the user maysimply reverse the steps outlined above.

Alternative Embodiments

Alternative embodiments of the flotation device may comprise, forexample, components that are, in some respects, similar to the variouscomponents described above. Selected distinguishing features of variousalternative embodiments are discussed below.

Selectively Removable and/or Adjustable Head Supports

In particular embodiments, one or both of the first and second headsupport may be adapted to allow a user to selectively remove them. Forexample, in various embodiments, the first and second head supports maycomprise hook and loop fastener segments that are adapted to selectivelyattach to hook and loop fastener segments disposed adjacent the ends ofthe elongated float. In other embodiments, the head supports maycomprise other suitable mechanisms, such as zippers, for allowing a userto selectively remove the head supports from the flotation device,and/or for adjusting the position of the head supports between differentpositions on the flotation device.

Integrated Head Rests

Although the head rests are described above as being separate from thefloat base portion, in other embodiments, at least one of the head restsand float base portion may be part of a single float structure.

Flotation Devices with Additional Features

In particular embodiments, the flotation device may comprise handlesdisposed adjacent the elongated tube or head supports. In otherembodiments, the elongated tube may define cup holders on the elongatedtube's top surface. In other embodiments, the flotation device mayfurther comprise any suitable back rest that is adapted to allow theuser to sit upright on the flotation device. Other embodiments of theflotation device may include arm rests, or other additional supports forvarious other parts of the user's body (e.g., foot rests). Furtherembodiments may include a bag (e.g., a net/mesh bag) for carrying itemssuch as sunglasses or suntan lotion.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrativeembodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should benoted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures areexemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, andmodifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain orderdoes not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of thatmethod. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind toone skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and theassociated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is notlimited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limitedonly by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flotation device, comprising: an elongatedfloat having a first end and a second end, and that defines a topsurface and a bottom surface; a first head support disposed adjacentsaid first end of said elongated float; and a second head support spacedapart from said first head support and disposed adjacent said second endof said elongated float, wherein: a first position in which said user'shead is disposed adjacent said first head support, and said user's feetare disposed adjacent said second head support; and a second position inwhich said user's head is disposed adjacent said second head support,and said user's feet are disposed adjacent said first head support. 2.The flotation device of claim 1, wherein said first head support andsaid second head support are adapted to be selectively removed from saidflotation device.
 3. The flotation device of claim 1, wherein saidelongated float is substantially solid.
 4. The flotation device of claim1, wherein said elongated float comprises at least one air chamber. 5.The flotation device of claim 4, wherein said at least one air chambercomprises at least one valve.
 6. The flotation device of claim 1,wherein said first head support comprises at least one air chamber. 7.The flotation device of claim 6, wherein said second head supportcomprises at least one air chamber.
 8. The flotation device of claim 1,wherein said first head support is substantially structurally similar tosaid second head support.
 9. The flotation device of claim 1, whereinsaid flotation device is substantially symmetrical.
 10. The method ofusing a flotation device, said method comprising the following steps:lying on said flotation device, said flotation device comprising: anelongated float having a first end and a second end, and that defines atop surface and a bottom surface; a first head support disposed adjacentsaid first end of said elongated float, and wherein said lying on saidflotation device is performed by a user, and wherein said user's head isdisposed adjacent said first head support; and a second head supportdisposed adjacent said second end of said flotation device.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein said method further comprises the step of:sitting up on said flotation device, wherein said sitting up on saidflotation device comprises said user straddling said flotation devicewith said user's legs.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said methodfurther comprises the step of: lying down on said flotation device,wherein said user's head is now disposed adjacent said second headsupport.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said elongated floatcomprises at least one air chamber, and wherein said at least one airchamber comprises at least one valve.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein said first head support comprises at least one air chamber, andwherein said second head support comprises at least one air chamber. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein said first head support and said secondhead support are adapted to be selectively removed from said flotationdevice.
 16. A flotation device, comprising: a float having a first end,a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface; a first head support,wherein said first head support is disposed adjacent said first end ofsaid float; and a second head support, wherein said second head supportis disposed adjacent said second end of said float, wherein: a firstposition in which said user's head is disposed adjacent said first headsupport, and said user's feet are disposed adjacent said second headsupport; and a second position in which said user's head is disposedadjacent said second head support, and said user's feet are disposedadjacent said first head support.
 17. The flotation device of claim 16,wherein said first head support and said second head support are adaptedto be selectively removed from said flotation device.
 18. The flotationdevice of claim 17, wherein said elongated float comprises at least oneair chamber, and wherein said at least one air chamber comprises atleast one valve.
 19. The flotation device of claim 18, wherein saidfirst head support comprises at least one air chamber, and wherein saidsecond head support comprises at least one air chamber.
 20. Theflotation device of claim 19, and wherein said first head support issubstantially structurally similar to said second head support.